BHUBANESWAR: The civic authorities on Monday cleared about three acres land on Khurda District and Sessions Court premises to make way for a new judicial complex.
The proposal for development of a new judicial complex has been a long-standing demand of the Bhubaneswar Bar Association.
Though the project was approved by State Government as well as Orissa High Court about five years back, the work could not be initiated due to encroachments.
During the eviction drive, jointly carried out by the BDA and BMC officials, two religious structures and more than 90 shanties were pulled down. The entire area in front of the Sub-Registrar’s office was cleared. Small makeshift structures, which included offices of lawyers, shanties of typists and deed writers and small shops were evicted.
Though the enforcement squad had made public announcement on Saturday to allow shopkeepers ample time to vacant on their own accord, many vendors did not pay heed and were seen removing their shops at the last moment.
In order to prevent the encroachers from returning, the enforcement squad asked the Roads and Building (R&B) Department officials to trench the areas from where encroachments have been removed.
Bhubaneswar Bar Association Secretary Jayant Misra said the permanent structures that will be demolished are the Sub-Registrar’s office, Tehsildar’s office and the Sub-collector’s office.
A 11-storey building has been proposed for the new judicial complex, to be constructed by the R&B Department. The purpose of the new judicial complex is to bring different courts under one roof for public convenience.